argh1 Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Okay , I was hiding from actual work at work last night. So after I got to see most of the Malaga-Valencia game something called Rugby Club came on and they showed the New Zealand team doing some kind of Moari (I'm guessing) strut your stuff intimidation dance thing in the other teams face . I'm sure at some previous attempt at watching Rugby I saw this from some other South Pacific rugby playing nation too. What's up with it ? Is it some sort of tradition in rugby ? I can't imagine seeing any-thing like it in any other international sport . I'm sure it adds to the uniqueness of the sport. But to the unknowing does it ever look strange. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HamiltonSteelers Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 It is a Maori war-dance called "The Haka" and is a tradition among New Zealand nat'l teams and is done at the beginning of the match. Other pacific nations have a similar 'dance' as it is traditional. One story goes that way back in the day, a touring NZ side visiting South Africa for the first time, the SA squad thought the dance was amusing, so for their next match, they had a mock dance of their own. Needless to say, this infuriated the visitors and proceeded to deliver a beating the likes SA had never seen before. The lesson: never mock the Haka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ray Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 I remember not so long ago the (NZ) Haka was viewed by opponents as a message of intimidation prior to an international rugby match. Sometimes the opposing team (say England) would line up at midfield during the Haka in a semi circle or have one of their own stand right in front of the Haka "leader". Sometimes they would face away from the New Zealanders. It made for interesting viewing. Thankfully, these days the Haka is a rugby tradition that is shared with the rest of the world; no longer taken as a threat but as a part of the atmosphere when NZ plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 My God, where have you been if you haven't heard of the Hakka? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Champ Posted November 25, 2004 Share Posted November 25, 2004 I find the New Zealand players doing the haka amazingly offesive. There have been blind accusations of racism on this board, but nothing, to me, is more racist than the Haka. Sure it looks 'Cool' but it is the equivalent of Canadian Hockey players coming out and doing an Indian War Dance. Wake up you PC geeks!!! the Haka is offensive ****! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 Offensive or no I have to say this. The Wee Elf, she thinks it is just soooo sexy. If I'm flipping channels and she hears a little rugby going on she'll come galloping over panting something about "All Blacks!? Are the All Blacks on?" Worse, when the Little Ones sleeping out at a friends on the weekends, well, let me just say the only kilt in this household, it ain't Scottish. Hey! Get off my back! You do what you can to keep the flame alive after 14 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 Here's a link to the NZ Rugby website and their explanation of the Haka. http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=haka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulV Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 I'd like to see Owen Hargreaves do a bit of Morris Dancing before the next England match. The Haka is cool, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew W Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 For anyone who wants to hear it there is a short zip file here. http://www.haka.co.nz/downloadables/ABHaka_lo.zip Having seen it performed live, it is great. First time I saw it was in 1987 in Christchurch in a game against Scotland. Long time ago, but it was cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highburygooner Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 having had the haka performed "to" me by the New Zealand B team, i can say it's one of the most intimidated feelings i've ever experienced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoyleG Posted November 26, 2004 Share Posted November 26, 2004 Saw the Haka performed by the NZ Maori when they were in Edmonton this past July. The All Blacks, Maori, and Black Ferns each have their own forms of the Haka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Champ Posted November 27, 2004 Share Posted November 27, 2004 quote:Originally posted by highburygooner having had the haka performed "to" me by the New Zealand B team, i can say it's one of the most intimidated feelings i've ever experienced. Next time they try that ****e, start dancing around like a warner bros Indian. **** them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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